The Secretary-General of the United Nations said the attack on Parisian magazine Charlie Hebdo was a “direct assault on a cornerstone of democracy, on the media and freedom of expression.”

Speaking at the United Nations Correspondents Association in New York today, Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon said the attack was a “horrendous, unjustifiable and cold-blooded crime.”

“It was a horrendous, unjustifiable and cold-blooded crime. It was also a direct assault on a cornerstone of democracy, on the media and freedom of expression. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed and his best wishes to those who were wounded in the attack. We stand with government and people of France. I trust that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly.”

He said “this horrific attack is meant to divide. We must not fall into that trap.

“This horrific attack is meant to divide. We must not fall into that trap. This is a moment for solidarity around the world. We must stand strong for freedom of expression and tolerance and stand against forces of division and hate.”

Secretary-General called for “solidarity around the world. We must stand strong for freedom of expression and tolerance and stand against forces of division and hate.”

Armed men attacked the headquarters of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people, including four of the magazine’s cartoonists and two policemen. A further 11 people were reportedly injured, four of them critically.

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